According to a survey conducted by Lingnan University in 2012, only 26 per cent of student respondents felt the subject enhanced their problem-solving skills, and only 22.7 per cent reported that it helped them become better citizens. More than half of the teacher respondents admitted spending a lot of time drilling students for the public exam. The fact that liberal studies is a compulsory exam subject has distorted its nature and defeated its goals.

Besides, as Mr So pointed out, there are two major problems with the subject. First, the scope of the curriculum is too broad. Second, the independent enquiry study (IES) module places impossible burdens on teachers and students. These observations are supported by the Lingnan survey.

It is doubtful that small adjustments to the curriculum can fix the flaws. However, if we substantially narrow the scope and scrap the IES module, can the subject retain its declared value? After all, liberal studies was introduced as a core subject on the grounds that it enables students to grasp a wide range of issues and construct knowledge by themselves.

The theory of knowledge, a core element of the International Baccalaureate diploma programme, gives us clues on how things could be done differently. Instead of expecting students to comment on a formidable range of current issues, the curriculum focuses on approaches and methodologies in different academic disciplines. But this approach requires a lot of teaching resources, which most local schools may not be able to afford.

Sometimes, policies with admirable goals can turn out badly and holding onto them will not do any good. Making liberal studies a core subject is one example.

Germaine Lau, director, Savantas Policy Institute

Seeking some answers on jury duty

Do any of your readers know the policy for jury selection? My partner works away from Hong Kong for most of the year in places which can only be described as unsociable.

He has just been called for a third time, the second time this year.

Each time a letter arrives from the court, I ring up and explain he is away and won't be in Hong Kong on the requested date.

Each time, they want written proof of his absence, and ask all sorts of ridiculous questions. Each time I say, "Why don't you just check with immigration? They will confirm his dates of departure and arrival."

However, this is apparently not in their remit.

I have lived and worked in Hong Kong for 30 years. I am a permanent resident, a homeowner, and I pay rates, utilities and taxes, but I have never been selected even though I am available.

When I mentioned this fact, I received no explanation as to why I haven't been called. Nor did I receive an answer to my question as to why they keep calling my partner.

It is important to develop cycling in Hong Kong and, with this in mind, the government's strategy needs to be improved.

This is illustrated by the fact that cyclists still die every year in accidents with vehicles. It is still dangerous for people to cycle on roads in Hong Kong.

Cycling has become popular, with Hong Kong cyclists enjoying success in international competitions.

Other advanced cities have a well-developed network of cycle paths, but Hong Kong has not done this and it should be rectified if the city wants to be competitive.

Everyone is aware that cycling is good because it is an eco-friendly form of transport.

The government needs to reconsider its strategy with regard to cycling in the city.

It needs to use the media to spread the message to drivers that they must be aware of the presence of cyclists. It also needs to designate cycling paths between roads and pavements and allocate more spaces where people can park their bicycles.

The head of a leading cycling organisation in Hong Kong has pointed out that, as Hong Kong is geographically quite small, it has great potential to become a city where cycling is widespread.

However, the government only regards cycling as a form of recreation and not as a means of transportation.

That is why it has only developed cycling paths in parts of the New Territories and most residents cannot benefit from this.

I hope officials will listen to those of us who would like to see an expansion of cycling in the city.

Cecilia Mok Sze-lam, Kowloon Tong

Berthing spaces review to begin soon

I refer to Howard Winn's Lai See column ("Fishy business on the rise in Hong Kong", April 4). The government's policy is to ensure local vessels and small visiting vessels can find suitable sheltered space during the passage of typhoons.

Under normal circumstances, except in areas where anchoring is prohibited, coxswains and owners of local vessels may anchor their vessels at any safe and suitable areas in Hong Kong waters.

The Marine Department will soon commission a review on berthing and sheltered spaces for local vessels.

A consultant firm will be engaged for the first part of the review by tender, which will be awarded in May.

The review is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2015.

Regarding the number of licensed fishing vessels, you may wish to note that more new vessels have been built before the implementation of fishing vessel registration under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171).

Some of them have also obtained fishing vessel registration from the mainland.

It is not uncommon for them to call back at Aberdeen typhoon shelter for routine repairs and normal replenishment.

Daisy Kwok, principal information officer, Marine Department

Grants can help recycling companies

The environment secretary has announced a plan in which waste recyclers will be offered up to HK$5 million in grants to boost their capacity and efficiency from a proposed HK$1 billion fund to promote recycling which they must match, for a two-year project to expand their businesses ("Scheme gives firms up to HK$5m to recycle rubbish", April 11).

They can use the cash to buy equipment or vehicles or put it towards hiring staff, as long as the plan results in a reduction in the amount of waste that goes to Hong Kong's landfills, which are nearing capacity.

I think this new policy is a good one. First of all, apart from building a proposed waste incinerator in Shek Kwu Chau or expanding the landfill in Tseung Kwan O, it is another feasible way to deal with the city's waste problem. Building an incinerator and expanding the landfills have lots of drawbacks, such as adversely affecting air quality and worsening pollution. Recycling is a sensible option as it does not cause pollution.

The scheme will also help ease the financial burden for recycling firms as they already face high transport and insurance costs. It will also enable them to pay higher wages so it will be easier for them to recruit people and more waste can be recycled.

Furthermore, this scheme can make the public more aware of the importance of recycling. Hopefully, more citizens will be encouraged to recycle waste. If more people recycle waste, then less refuse will end up in rubbish bins.

I hope this scheme can help the government to deal with the city's waste problems.

It is wonderful to see nations working together, no expense spared, in the search to retrieve wreckage and solve the mystery of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

If the same amount of effort and funding could be put into eliminating poaching and educating people about the importance of conservation, what a difference it might make.

That a remote area of the Indian Ocean has been found to be full of human garbage should be a wake-up call to all of us.

Governments are co-operating and willing to spend billions to find the missing plane; can they do the same to help preserve what wildlife we have or will they wait until all that could have been saved is gone forever?

Besides, I also want to reply the comment of Cecilia of “More Cycle paths are needed in city.” I do take her point that cycling is an eco-friendly form of transportation and the government should designate cycling paths between road and pavement. However, in the consideration of building more cycle path, the government should also deeply consider the accessibility and flexibility. Due to the geographical location and tiny area, I do agree that the government need to consider many safety factors before implementing the cycling such as the regulation on cycling, the infrastructure for cycling, and berthing spaces for cycling, etc. I found that every citizens should not miss these factors before advocating the cycling. So, it is also the reason why the government is difficult to achieve this goal and boost their capacit

I am quite happy that someone replied my letter. I hope the government can develop cycling. At least, the government "should" consider safety factors. For instance, letting vehicle drivers aware of cyclists on car paths.

chamhlam2 Apr 16th 20141:29am

I am writing to reply the comment on the letter of Germaine. In my view, I agree that liberal studies may still have some flaws on the education system. However, I do agree that the liberal studies are vital and beneficial for students in the long term because all current affairs as well as policies influenced on our society, our world. It is essential for student to acquire more knowledge on current issues as they can equip the civic sense and critical thinking at the same time. What is more, I do take the point small adjustments to the curriculum can fix the flaws so I still think that liberal studies should be at the same level with languages and mathematics.

Will.I.Am Apr 15th 20147:36am

I got call up for jury 3 times and nobody Ive known ever been call up.